Pirelli targets multi-stop races: Softer tire compounds planned for 2026 F1 season. Pirelli eyes more-stop races: soft tires to take the spotlight.

In recent years, Formula 1 has been dominated by tire management: engineers focused on ways to prevent overheating, while drivers were guided from the pit wall on how hard and where to push in order to avoid excessive tire wear. Grand Prix races with more than two pit stops had become the exception; in fact, some drivers would sometimes gamble with one less stop, relying on tires to hold up even beyond Pirelli’s calculations.

With the new generation of cars, the main focus has shifted to energy, and tire degradation no longer plays such a decisive role. Mercedes and Ferrari led the way with simple one-stop strategies in both Australia and China, while the midfield and backmarkers needed more stops. This scenario is likely to repeat across the calendar. The smaller, lighter cars place less load on the tires, and when combined with the lift-and-coast techniques drivers use to manage their battery, a stint can almost last indefinitely.

Pirelli planning adjustments for future races

This issue has not gone unnoticed at Pirelli headquarters, where engineers are already considering solutions to implement after the upcoming break. “We are still gathering data, but during the Bahrain tests we brought the C1, C2, and C3 compounds. Now we believe it could be possible to run with the C2, C3, and C4, meaning a softer step. On some circuits, we will adopt this approach. We have already consulted the teams and they have an idea, but we can only finalize choices in collaboration with the FIA,” explained Mario Isola, as reported by Motorsport.com.

However, the Italian engineer is not yet worried, as he expects significant evolution in the coming months: “In the second part of the season, the cars will be different. If they become faster, they will place more load on the tires, so the selection will still be appropriate,” he added.

Pirelli is therefore navigating a delicate balancing act between the current energy-limited racing and the rapid development curve of the 2026 cars. By shifting toward softer compounds like the C4 in the short term, the goal is to break the monotony of the “forever stint” and reintroduce tactical pit stops as a deciding factor. Based on the content of Mario Isola’s recent statements, the strategic landscape of the 2026 season is likely to look very different by the time the circus reaches the European leg.